Matt Lollis
| IP | 593 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.599 |
| WHIP | 1.449 |
| BB/9 | 3.87 |
| SO/9 | 8.15 |
- Full name Matthew Casey Lollis
- Born 09/11/1990 in Riverside, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'9" / Wt.: 280 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Riverside City College
- Drafted in the 15th round (444th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2009 (signed for $100,000).
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Signed for $100,000 out of the 15th round of the 2009 draft, Lollis zoomed to high Class A in time for the California League playoffs a year later. His fell off the pace with a return engagement to Lake Elsinore in 2011, running up a 5.57 ERA through 16 starts before landing in the Storm bullpen for most of July and August. As a reliever he posted a shiny 36-8 K-BB ratio but still compiled a 3.82 ERA. The 6-foot-9 Lollis pitches at 92-93 mph and peaks at 97 out of the bullpen, but his long levers lead to timing issues with his frontside arm action. He struggles to stay on line to the plate, alternately flying off toward first base or cutting his arm action off prematurely. Lollis' deep repertoire gives San Diego hope he can grow into a mid-rotation starter. His mid-70s knuckle-curve, low-80s slurve and changeup all have shown flashes of being average to a tick above. Some scouts outside the organization believe Lollis' future is in the bullpen, where he can focus on throwing mid-90s gas while sharpening only one of his secondary pitches. -
The Padres doled out a club-record $9.1 million in draft bonuses in 2009, and so far the player from that crop who has made the biggest impression is a relatively unknown 15throunder who signed for $100,000. Lollis started 2010 at short-season Eugene, allowed 10 earned runs in nine starts for low Class A Fort Wayne after a promotion and finished the year with a strong playoff start for Lake Elsinore. Lollis throws four pitches, with his high three-quarters arm slot affording him good plane on a 92-93 mph fastball that peaks at 95. San Diego typically asks pitchers to focus on one breaking ball, but it has allowed him to throw both a hard slider and a knuckle-curve that features 12-to-6 break. He still is building confidence in his changeup, a distant fourth pitch in his repertoire. Nicknamed "Big Country" because of his gigantic frame, Lollis nonetheless shows surprising athleticism and a nuanced feel for his craft, which allow him to fill the strike zone with ease. He has quick feet, belying his size, but he'll have to monitor his conditioning carefully so his body doesn't get out of control. Lollis has mid-rotation potential if his changeup develops. He'll begin the 2011 season back in high Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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While most players on this list are high-profile draft picks or international signings, Lollis was a 15th-round pick in 2009. After biceps tendinitis shut him down as a high school senior, he turned down San Diego State and headed instead to Riverside (Calif.) CC. He looks like a sound $100,000 investment so far, as Lollis' fastball sits at 93-94 mph and peaks at 97. His ability to throw first-pitch strikes allowed him to work on his secondary pitches, which improved throughout the summer. His knuckle-curve and slider both have power to them, though he's still working to become more confident with his changeup. Lollis is deceptively athletic and agile for his size. He has good body control and fields his position well. He also uses his height to his advantage on the mound, using a high three-quarters arm action to drive his fastball down in the zone. -
Though the Padres spent a club-record $9.1 million on their 2009 draft, the early returns haven't been promising. Of their three biggest bonus babies, Donavan Tate and Everett Williams have struggled at the plate (and Tate has rarely been healthy), while Keyvius Sampson has labrum and elbow issues. Lollis, a 15th-rounder who signed for $100,000, has outperformed them all. During his six weeks with Fort Wayne, Lollis showed the makings of four average or better pitches. His best offering is a 92-93 mph fastball that tops out at 96. He has a pair of useful breaking balls, with his slider ranking ahead of his knuckle-curve, and he has some feel for a changeup. Lollis' huge 6-foot-7, 265-pound frame is both an asset and a concern. He has an imposing presence on the mound, but he's also going to have to monitor his conditioning so his body doesn't get away from him. Despite his size, he does a reasonable job of maintaining his delivery and throwing strikes.
